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Letter Y

Letter Y for Kids

Sound /y/, as in yo-yo. See 5 example words, a fun fact, and how to teach it in 5 minutes.

Yy

5 words that start with Y

  • yes
  • yum
  • yak
  • yawn
  • young

Did you know?

Y plays both team — consonant at the start ('yes') and vowel at the end ('happy').

How to teach the letter Y

  1. Say the sound first. Not the name “y” — the sound /y/. Kids who learn the sound first read 6 months earlier on average.
  2. Trace it on the table. Use your finger to trace both the capital Y and lowercase y while saying the sound 3 times each.
  3. Find Y around you. Books, food labels, road signs. Aim for 3 spots before changing activities.
  4. Build a word. Pick one of the 5 example words above and tap it into Letter Trace or Flashcards.
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ABC Phonics — Sounds for Kids